Minutes 11-10-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of Social Services is deploying more centralized services within the Hillsborough Commons location and substantially re-purposing the somewhat parking "stressed" Skills Development Center in Chapel Hill. The County has recently extended its long-term lease arrangement to control the former Dollar Tree space adjacent to the current leased property in order to implement this strategy. Should this strategy continue successfully, additional unoccupied space may be purchased within the existing Hillsborough Commons facility. Additionally, the conversation continues between Orange County and Chapel Hill with regard to working together on a potentially mutually beneficial solution for the "stressed" properties of 501/503 Franklin and the Former Town Hall, currently occupied by the Interfaith Council Men's Shelter. This strategy must also consider providing additional job and skills training space as part of the long-term Southern Campus expansion to provide a presence for these services supporting southern Orange County. Jeff Thompson said there is an option to buy the Hillsborough Commons as well as the rest of that facility. He said the possibility of pursuing the Chapel Hill Old Town Hall complex is being considered as well. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the option to purchase Hillsborough Commons remains the same, or if it is a renegotiated option. Jeff Thompson said it is a renegotiated option that includes a lease expansion, as well as the option to purchase. He said purchase prices are currently being negotiated. Commissioner Jacobs said if the entire Hillsborough Commons is purchased, could portions of it be rented out to the private sector. Jeff Thompson said yes. d. Emergency Services hardened location 510 Meadowlands facility is not a "hardened" facility and is susceptible to inclement weather and wind damage. The work group discussed reconfiguring the lower level of the West Campus Office Building in Hillsborough to house the primary 911 communications center in the long term. The West Campus Office Building was originally designed with for a potential emergency operations center. It features a below grade facility with the walk out covered structured parking deck, twin backup, natural gas powered generators, and equivalent operating space as the 510 Meadowlands facility. Should this permanent solution ever be contemplated, the current public meeting rooms and Child Support Enforcement would need to be appropriately relocated. Space Study Work Group Organization Going Forward This update, along with the April 2015 report and its underlying space inventory and analysis, establish the base conditions for future study while staying consistent with the original charge. Their subgroups will continue to meet. The space study work group "sub groups" (Aging, Emergency Services, Justice Facilities, Library, etc.) will be aligned appropriately and integrated within the emerging Functional Leadership Teams for the purpose of space needs topics. These teams will be supported and facilitated by AMS staff in their space discussions and deliberations.